Love of America noble     

Los Angeles CBS affiliate KCAL reported this month that Atlanta's Neighborhood Charter School students will no longer recite the Pledge of Allegiance each morning.

"Over the past couple of years, it has become increasingly obvious that more and more of our community were choosing to not stand and/or recite the pledge," Elementary Campus President Lara Zelski told the Atlanta Journal Constitution. 

In a release, the school claimed the move was meant to promote a "fully inclusive and connected community."

If the peculiar notion that in overt division a citizenry can feel unified strikes you as foolish, you are correct. But be warned: From absurdness can sprout serious menace.

Of course, "forced" patriotism is wrong. To coerce another to profess it or any other belief is contrary to the American ideal of individualism over regulated collectivism. And it would, at best, produce insincerity of no practical worth.

But pride in our nation should already thrive boldly in the hearts of all men. Rightly, Americans are proud of our superior values, founding principles, accomplishments that have in numerous manners bettered the world, and our country's enduring inspiration to men everywhere.

America's culture has many authors, but in the end it is a solitary work. Our people may have diverse backgrounds, but here, we are one. Mess with one of us, and you're messing with all of us.

America has defeated perils around the globe, from Nazism to Communism. And we will defeat radical Islam. Many families cherish mantle-piece framed photos of earlier generations' members who fought and suffered to keep freedom's blazing torch aloft for the world to see. 

And many today have sons or daughters wearing the uniform. They know of America's greatness because they live it, every day.

Being an American isn't some abstract concept found in old, stem-winding speeches and mossbacked library tomes. It's as alive and relevant as a brass band marching down Main Street in a July Fourth parade, a kid first encountering the noble poetry of our inspirational Declaration of Independence, or the whole family turning out to welcome a son or daughter returning from defending our land, overseas.

But since the 1950s, left-wing voices have preached that the very concept of "un-Americanism" is a foul denial of men's ideological liberty. In a self-proclaimed "land of the free," they charge, any assertion of single, identifiable national orthodoxy is counterintuitive.

Americanism is cast as a bigotry, a toxin in philosophical league with Joseph McCarthy; during his eponymous era, it is taught, innocents were denied employ and decent lives due only to niche ideological bents.

Such fractious propaganda to one side, though, "Americanism" is a sound and robust faith, one with certain silhouette. It has definite qualities and parameters.

Our Constitution lays out our intended national character. In it can easily be located a host of sterling sentiments and grand principles. Anyone wondering what Americanism is must start by consulting that historic document.

Respect for the democratic process and duly enacted laws are also deep in Americanism's marrow. As are judicial fairness, responsible social order, and respecting the rights and liberties of others, even those with whom you might disagree.

"Un-Americanism," then, would be persuasions and agitations counter to our Constitution's formulae. 

In America, yes, freedom includes the option of believing and expressing contrary ideas. Even challenging our sovereignty, principles, and most prized values. 

But no matter how rancorous our disagreements of the day, never lose sight of the Divine providence from which we all magnificently profit. Thomas Jefferson put it well:

"My God! What little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on Earth enjoy!"

If only that were taught in schools.